The Unexpected

The Move

         I was a regular person, I was a person that had all she could needed before my mother's death. When she died, our money went down to the dumps and we lost everything. Everything.

We moved here about 7 weeks ago from Ireland. My father wanted to have the best for me. Since my mother died nine months ago, we had to leave everything back in Ireland. We even had to put the house up for sale. Hopefully someone wants to buy it soon since we are already really short on money.

My father doesn't like it that I have to get a job, but he scavenges for jobs like a raccoon in a garbage can anyway. He doesn't like me giving him money either, but every now and then I slip some money in his billfold.

This is going to be my newest school in 3 months. It's been really tough on me moving from place to place that the idea of making friends never crossed my mind before. Friends always stab each other in the back and leave the other one behind to suffer on their own. Plus, I have been too busy studying. I promised my mother and myself that I would get my dad and I out of these debts we are in, and I can't do that without schooling.

"So do you think anyone will take the house in Ireland?" I ask weakly, hoping I don't come off to harsh.

"I ... I ... I don't know honey, but you know the routine: don't stick to anyone, stay close, and don't .... just don't try to meddle." My father responds.

"Oh.... ok." I never thought he would say that to me, he usually is very pleasant, but I understand. He is just going through a really rough time and now he has to deal with me all alone. I still can't believe she died less than a year ago.

" I'm sorry baby, I just don't know what to say to that question." My dad says with sorrow and looks down at the steering wheel for a second.

"I know dad, it's ok. I promise we will get through this together." I answer. I place my hand on his. We stop at a gas station to fill up the tank again. I run in to grab a snack for my dad. I know he secretly wants something to eat. Sometimes I swear he's as stubborn as a donkey.

"Let's see..." I say to myself. I see some Twinkie, Cheetos, and an array of apples and oranges but I settle on a single apple, I have to buy another for dad. Altogether the total is $5.00.

" $5.00 please." The cashier says bluntly.

"Okay, here you go..." I start to say before a boy comes out from the back.

"Actually that will be $3.50 we were just about to lower the price." He informs.

"Oh.. Okay here you go." I hand the money to the cashier lady.

"So are you just traveling or are you staying in town for a while?" He asks suddenly. I'm sorta creeped out by the question but I answer anyway.

"Actually we just moved here from Ireland and we're looking for some job opportunities." I respond.

"You said "We"?"

" Oh yeah, my dad and I."

"Well, it's just your lucky day. One of our cashier's just quit, the spot's all yours as long as you start tomorrow at 8:00 sharp." He offers.

"Okay that sounds good, I'll bring my resume by later. We just have to settle in a little bit at my new house first." I say.

"Alright it's a deal and since now you are a cashier you get a 50% off all merchandise, so that is $1.75 I will give you the change back." He says as I hand him the money. The cashier lady steps back and walks into the back of the department. Suddenly I notice the necklace he's wearing, it had a golden flower.